Shipyard boss apologises for branding Merseyside workers militant

John Syvret

The boss of Cammell Llaird shipyard has apologised “for pandering to negative stereotypes of Merseyside”.

Chief executive John Syvret released a statement last week claiming that strikers at the shipyard were threatening the future of the business.

The strikes have been called after it was announced the 291 jobs are to be axed at the Birkenhead yard.

But Mr Syvret has withdrawn the statement following talks with Liverpool’s mayor Joe Anderson.

Joe Anderson

Mr Anderson said Mr Syvret had made “exaggerated, stupid comments”.

Mr Syvret said: “I apologise to Mr Anderson and anyone else who considered this to be an overly negative point to make.

“To clarify, all at Cammell Laird simply want and need this industrial action to end in order to allow the company to freely trade.”

His statement has been since removed from the company’s website.

Mr Anderson said: “A man of his experience should know that a period of silence is needed when you have issued redundancy notices before Christmas.

“It is not helpful for him to portray people who are just trying to protect their jobs as militant trouble-causers.”

Unite regional officer Ross Quinn said Mr Syvret should work with the unions “rather than aiming lazy insults”.

Cammell Laird said the stoppages had already cost the firm a £1.5m contract and is threatening the future of the business.

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